Insight into contemporary issues with medical and dental biofilms are shown in Figure 5.6 and 5.7. Detailed coverage of this topic is found in the chapter on health and medicine.
Figure 5.6 Medical and Dental Biofilms
Biofilm growth on human tissue, dental surfaces, and prosthetic implants is a rapidly growing concern to the medical industry. Oral biofilms promote tooth decay (dental caries) and gum disease. Biofilms may develop on catheter surfaces as well as the surfaces of prosthetic implants resulting in infection. Note that bacterial cells which detach from these biofilms can enter the circulatory system an be transported through the human body.
As we see again the same type of biofilm research questions are of concern to the medical industry namely: